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Friedrich Nietzsche's Controversy

Decent Essays

In this paper, we will discuss Friedrich Nietzsche’s perspective based on the main question in unit 3, also known as “What is God?” Friedrich Nietzsche has created a vast amount of controversy and cultural influence since his publication in 1883. Nietzsche is known for his intricate work that has a substantial reputation throughout history. For example, in “The Gay Science,” his most known and recognized statement was “God is dead.” His bold declaration led to controversy in religion, nihilism, and morals.
Friedrich Nietzsche was born into a very traditional Lutheran religion. He had grandfathers, an uncle, and a father who were Lutheran ministers. His paternal grandfather, Friedrich August Ludwig Nietzsche was distinguished as a Protestant scholar, who through his books he affirmed the “everlasting survival of Christianity.” (Wicks, 1997) Although Nietzsche grew up in a Lutheran tradition, as time progressed …show more content…

At this point of life, Nietzsche saw a complicity between morality and the Christian God that perpetuates a life-denying, and ultimately nihilistic. (Crowell, 2004) I do agree that Nietzsche’s view would lead him to cross between his beliefs and morals in a way that it would be hard to ignore one or the other. Nietzsche's idea behind moral prescriptions lie in nothing but a “will to power”. (Crowell, 2004)
Furthermore, in regards to the main question, “What is God?” we decided to look at the meaning in a sense where God is considered more of the nature and existence of a being greater than human beings, rather than viewing God as a deity of any particular practice or religion. Although Nietzsche does speak of the Christian God in his works, I believe that his message was to be more focused on existentialism. Nietzsche believed more in the nature, life, and free-will. Nietzsche's overriding concern was to find a way to take the measure of human life in the modern world. (Crowell,

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